Holders for a watch

ABSTRACT

A box for storing a watch is provided. In some embodiments, the box includes a bottom; a top coupled to the bottom with a hinge; and a mount positioned in the bottom to receive a watch for storage. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a holder for holding a watch band is presented. An embodiment of a holder includes a first half; a second half; and a plate electromagnetically shielding the first half from the second half, wherein the first half and the second half are arranged to hold a watch band.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application62/110,409, entitled “Box for Holding a Watch,” filed on Jan. 30, 2015by Adam Pluemer and Christopher Sontag, and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/131,047, entitled “A Foam Holder for aWatch,” filed on Mar. 10, 2015 by Adam Pluemer and Christopher Sontag,both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention are related to holders for holdinga watch.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

The projection of new digital watches that have a high degree offunctionality will present owners of fine watches with a quandary:whether to wear the high value fine watch or to wear the highlyfunctional digital watch. The highly functional digital watch, forexample the iWatch from Apple, is projected to have functionalitysimilar to smart phones. Wearers of the highly function digital watcheswill enjoy the functionality of a smart phone on their wrist.

Therefore, there is a need to develop better holders for watches, and inparticular better holders for watches to be used for storage or on wristbands.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a box for storing awatch is provided. In some embodiments, the box includes a bottom; a topcoupled to the bottom with a hinge; and a mount positioned in the bottomto receive a watch band for storage, the mount including anelectromagnetic shielding plate.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a holder forholding a watch band is presented. An embodiment of a holder includes afirst half; a second half; and a plate electromagnetically shielding thefirst half from the second half, wherein the first half and the secondhalf are arranged to hold a watch band.

These and other embodiments are further discussed below with respect tothe following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a watch band according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate wearing the watch band illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate wearing the watch band illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B further illustrate the watch band.

FIGS. 5A through 5E illustrate embodiments of a box for storing a smartwatch.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate embodiments of a multi-box system for storingsmart watches.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a watch being inserted into a box forstorage.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate further box for storing a watch.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate an embodiment of a watch band holder

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D illustrate embodiments of a holder with awatch band.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate side views of embodiments of a holder witha wrist band.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an electromagnetic shielding platethat can be used with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describingsome embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,to one skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced withoutsome or all of these specific details. The specific embodimentsdisclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. Oneskilled in the art may realize other elements that, although notspecifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of thisdisclosure.

This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate inventiveaspects and embodiments should not be taken as limiting—the claimsdefine the protected invention. Various mechanical, compositional,structural, and operational changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this description and the claims. In someinstances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown ordescribed in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

Additionally, the drawings are not to scale. Relative sizes ofcomponents are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect theactual sizes that may occur in any actual embodiment of the invention.Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similarelements.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include theplural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. And, theterms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and the like specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups.Components described as coupled may be electrically or mechanicallydirectly coupled, or they may be indirectly coupled via one or moreintermediate components.

Elements and their associated aspects that are described in detail withreference to one embodiment may, whenever practical, be included inother embodiments in which they are not specifically shown or described.For example, if an element is described in detail with reference to oneembodiment and is not described with reference to a second embodiment,the element may nevertheless be claimed as included in the secondembodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a watch band 100 according to someembodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, watch band 100includes a first section 102 and a second section 104. As shown in FIG.1, watch band 100 couples a watch 106 with a watch 108 where firstsection 102 and second section 104 couple watch 106 and watch 108 into asingle wearable watchband with two watches. Watch 106 and watch 108 canbe any pair of watches. However, watch band 100 can be used to mount adecorative watch, watch 106, with a highly functional smart digitalwatch, watch 108. For example, for those that do not wish to abandonwearing of an expensive high-end watch but would also like thefunctionality of a smart digital watch, watch 106 can be a high endwatch and watch 108 can be a smart digital watch.

As shown in FIG. 1, sections 102 and 104 can include connectors to matewith watches 106 and 108. The example shown in FIG. 1 is a standard pintype, or spring bar, connection so that section 102 couples to watch 106with connector 112 and to watch 108 with connector 110 while section 104couples to watch 106 with connector 116 and couples to watch 108 withconnector 114. As is further discussed below, other connections can bemade. Further, in some embodiments section 102 and 104 can be formed ina single piece with a holder for watch 108 formed in the now singlepiece band. Additionally, in some embodiments a clasp may be formed insection 102 or section 104. Band 100 can be formed of any materialcapable of holding watch 106 and watch 108. For example, band 100 can beformed as an expansion bracelet, can be formed of leather, simulatedhides, metal, precious metals, cloth, fabric, nylon, rubber plastic,composite materials or other material. Band 100 can be formed to variousdesigns and patterns and can be formed of combinations of materials.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate on way of wearing band 100 while FIGS. 3A and3B show another way of wearing band 100. FIGS. 4A and 4B furtherillustrate band 100 with watches 106 and 108 in place. In some cases,users may have multiple ones of smart watches 108 or may need to storewatch 108 when it is off band 100. In accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention, storing a watch may be accomplished with a box. Insome embodiments, a holder may hold the watch. In some embodiments, theholder may be mounted within the box.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate embodiments of a box 500 for storing a smartwatch 108. As shown in FIG. 5A, box 500 includes a top cover 502 and abottom 506. In some embodiments top cover 502 and bottom 406 may becoupled with a hinge 504. As shown in FIG. 5A, a mount 508 is placed inthe center of the bottom 506 to hold one or more watches. Mount 508includes portions 514 that are shaped such that watch band 100, alongwith watch 108 and watch 106, are accommodated. In particular, portions514 may be plastic or foam that snuggly hold watch band 100 within box500. Mount 508 can further include an electromagnetic shielding plate512 in order to remove magnetic or electronic interference betweenwatches 106 and 108 while they are housed within box 500. FIG. 5Billustrates that a charger circuit 510 may be incorporated into mount508 in order to charge a smart watch 108. Charger circuit 510 may, forexample, be a wireless charging unit that magnetically couples power tocharge a batter within smart watch 108.

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate box 500 without inclusion of watch band 100.As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, portions 514 can be mounted on a pedestal520, which may also be separated by plate 512, in order to raise watchband 100 within box 500 in order to keep watches 106 and 108 fromcontacting the bottom surface of box 500. As shown in FIG. 5D, chargercircuit 510 can be coupled to power cord 516, which may supply power,for example, for an external power supply (e.g., a wall socket, batteryunit, or other device). FIG. 5E illustrates a cut-away to illustratewatch band 100 mounted on portions 514 on pedestal 520.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a configuration of a number of boxes 500arranged in a container 602. Any number of boxes 500 can be included incontainer 602. In the example shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, three boxes areincluded in container 602. In some embodiments, individual covers 502can be included with each individual bottom 506 in container 602. Insome embodiments, container 602 may include one cover that covers all ofthe individual boxes 500. FIG. 6B illustrates that each of the boxesincluded in container 602 may include a charging circuit 510 in order tocharge smart watch 108.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates insertion of a watch band 100 into box 500.FIG. 7A illustrates a frontal view while FIG. 7B illustrates a side viewof box 500 while watch band 100 is being inserted. As illustrated, watchband 100 with watches 106 and 108 can be positioned over mount 508 andslipped over mount 508 to be held within each box 500.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a power cable 516 used with box 500. Powercable 516 includes a grounding wire that can be electrically coupled toplate 512 within box 500 in order to ground plate 512 to an externalcircuit, for example the circuitry driving charger 510. As such, plate512 can provide better shielding between watches 106 and 108 and charger510 and watch 106. With a grounding wire in place. In some embodimentswithout charging circuit 510, a grounding wire may still be used tobetter shield watches 106 from watch 108.

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of a holder 900 for holding a watchband 100. Holder 900 may be mount 508 as described above in box 500.Alternatively, holder 900 may provide a holder for a watch band 100independent of box 500.

As shown in FIG. 9A, holder 900 includes a first half 902 and a secondhalf 904. If holder 900 is being used in box 500, first half 902 andsecond half 904 correspond with portions 514. First half 902 and secondhalf 904 are appropriately sized and shaped to hold firmly a watch bandsuch as dual watch band 102. First half 902 and second half 904 can beseparated by an electromagnetic shielding plate 906, which cansubstantially electrically isolate watch 108 from watch 106 in watchband 100. Electromagnetic shielding plate 906 corresponds with shieldingplate 512 of mount 508. In some embodiments, plate 906 may be groundedin order to provide better shielding between watches mounted on a watchband 100.

In some embodiments, first half 902 includes a flattened portion 908 onwhich a watch mount for a watch band such as watch band 100 can sit.Second half 904 includes a flat portion 910 on which another watch mounton a watch band can sit. FIG. 9B illustrates a planar view of holder 900as shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C illustrates an embodiment of holder 900where a charger 914 is imbedded into portion 904 in place of flatportion 910. Charger 914 itself provides a flat on which a watch mountfor a watch band can sit. Further, plate 906 and charger 914 may share aground connection. Charger 914 may be, for example, a wireless powercharger that magnetically couples power into smart watch 108 in orderthat a corresponding receiver circuit in smart watch 108 can charge itsinternal battery.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate embodiments of mount 900 with a watch band100 attached. As shown in FIG. 10A, watch 106 on watch band 100 alignswith flat portion 908 while watch 108 aligns with flat portion 912. FIG.10B illustrates another view of mount 900 as shown in FIG. 10A. As shownin FIG. 10C, in embodiments that include charger 914, watch 108 alignswith charger 914. FIG. 10D illustrates another view of the embodiment ofholder 900 shown in FIG. 10C. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a side viewof holder 900 with watch band 100. FIG. 11B illustrates an embodimentwith charger 914.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of shielding plate 906. There are twobasic methods for shielding against low to medium frequency magneticsources, such as those used in wireless charging systems. One method isby diversion of the magnetic flux with high permeability materials andthe generation of opposing flux. Using a ferromagnetic material withsufficient thickness and a permeability μ>>μ₀, where μ₀ is the magneticpermeability of free space. In some cases, a conductive plate such as acopper plate can generate magnetic fields opposition that of a magneticfield source, thereby canceling the magnetic field source.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, electromagnetic shielding plate 906 caninclude a thick ferromagnetic plate 1208 with permeability much greaterthan the permeability of free space (μ>>μ₀) and a copper plate 1204.Ferromagnetic (ferrite) plate 1208 and conducting plate 1204 (e.g.,copper) can be separated by an insulator 1206. Electromagnetic shieldingplate 1206 may further be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 1202that provides mechanical stability. conducting plate 1204 andferromagnetic plate 1208 provide electromagnetic shielding betweenelectronic devices mounted on either side. In some embodiments, multiplelayers of copper plate or ferrite materials may be used.

In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, andadditional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from thebroader scope of the invention as set for in the claims that follow. Thespecification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in anillustrative rather than restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A box, comprising: a bottom; a top coupled thatmates with the bottom; and a mount positioned in the bottom to receive awatch band for storage, the mount including an electromagnetic shieldingplate to shield a first watch on the watch band from a second watch onthe watch band.
 2. The box of claim 1, wherein the top is coupled to thebottom with a hinge.
 3. The box of claim 1, wherein the mount includesinsulating parts separated by the shielding plate.
 4. The box of claim1, wherein the mount includes a charger circuit.
 5. The box of claim 4,wherein the charger circuit is positioned proximate to a flat portion onwhich the second watch is received.
 6. A container, the containerincluding a plurality of bottoms; a plurality of mounts, each of theplurality of mounts positioned in one of the bottoms to receive a watchband for storage, each of the plurality of mounts including anelectromagnetic shielding plate to shied a first watch on the watch bandfrom a second watch on the watch band; and one or more covers that closeover each of the plurality of bottoms.
 7. The container of claim 6,wherein one or more of the plurality of mounts includes a chargercircuit.
 8. The container of claim 6, wherein the one or more coversincludes a single cover that closes over all of the plurality ofbottoms.
 9. A holder, comprising: a first half; a second half; and aplate electromagnetically shielding the first half from the second half,wherein the first half and the second half are arranged to hold a watchband.
 10. The holder of claim 9, wherein the watch band includes a firstwatch and a second watch and the watch band is positioned around thefirst half and the second half such that the first watch is shieldedfrom the second watch.
 14. The holder of claim 10, wherein the secondwatch is positioned over the second half and wherein a charger circuitis mounted in the second half.
 15. The holder of claim 14, wherein thecharger circuit is a wireless charging circuit.
 16. The holder of claim9, wherein the plate includes a ferrite plate.
 17. The holder of claim16, further including a conductive plate coupled with the ferrite plate.18. The holder of claim 17, wherein the conductive plate is separatedfrom the ferrite plate with an insulator.
 19. The holder of claim 18,wherein the plate is mounted on a printed circuit board.